[LargeFormat] Copal #3 shutters
largeformat@f32.net
largeformat@f32.net
Fri Jun 18 16:42:13 2004
Hi Richard,
The manufacturer's suggested list price without shutter is MSRP =A31,25=
0.
Supplied with the shutter it is =A31,650. The cost to purchase the shu=
tter
from SK Grimes is US$475. Cooke has to charge =A3400 for the shutter. =
At
today's exchange that is about US$735. When purchased without a shutte=
r,
you have options: an existing used shutter or a new shutter. The lens=
is
designed to work with a Copal #3 shutter. The Cooke engineers are used=
to
precision lensmaking. Don't worry, the cells will line up appropriatel=
y in
any Copal #3 shutter, used or new.
Barbara
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"Richard =
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Knoppow" To: <largeformat@f32.net>=
, <barb@cookeoptics.com> =20
<dickburk@ix.n cc: =
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etcom.com> Subject: Re: [LargeFormat=
] Copal #3 shutters =20
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06/18/2004 =
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03:13 PM =
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Please respond =
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to "Richard =
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Knoppow" =
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----- Original Message -----
From: <barb@zgc.com>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 6:26 AM
Subject: RE: [LargeFormat] Copal #3 shutters
> Gentlemen (yes, everyone responding thus far has been a
gentleman),
>
> I appreciate all of your feedback. The reason for my
question was based on
> queries I have received related to our new Cooke Series
XVa Triple
> Convertible lens. It incorporates a Copal #3 shutter, but
Cooke gives a
> choice for purchase -- with or without shutter. If a UK
buyer wants to
> save some money by purchasing the lens without a shutter,
where in the UK
> would he or she pick one up? Maybe the better question
for me to have
> asked you all is: What is the S.K. Grimes equivalent in
the UK?
>
> From what everyone has told me so far (except for Clive,
since
> unfortunately I didn't receive his emails), that entity
doesn't exist or is
> well hidden at the moment. I'm sure Adam at SK Grimes
would be more than
> happy for the international business. He's already
stocked a stash of
> Copal #3 shutters to accommodate Series XVa buyers and
will attach the
> Dynamic Scale Ring (with the f stop scales) to the shutter
with the
> purchase of a shutter from him.
>
> Thanks again for your feedback!
>
> Barbara Lowry
> Cooke Optics Limited
> Leicester, England
> barb@cookeoptics.com
> 973-335-4460 in New Jersey
> http://www.cookeoptics.com
>
Steve Grimes was what the Germans call a finemechanic,
that is someone who can make high precision machinery. He is
deceased but he gathered some younger machinists who are
continuing his business. There are not many of these people
anywhere.
I think your customer may be mislead about saving money.
The cost of buying the shutter and mounting the cells would
probably exceed any saving he got by buying the cells alone
from Cooke. In fact, I am surprized that Cooke offers this
option, usually lens makers offer a choice of a shutter or a
barrel mount, the barrel including an iris diaphragm, etc.
Mounting the cells in a shutter requires making adaptors for
the cells so that they are spaced correctly. I am sure Cooke
would supply this information but you are then relying on
some third party to do the work in a way that insures the
lenses perform right. My suggestion is to research the cost
of buying a shutter retail and having the machining done.
Steve Grimes shop could advise you about this, they remount
lenses all the time. While you would have to translate the
cost to pounds from dollars it would still be a basis of
comparison with a factory mounting. In addition, unless you
can find a suitable machinist in England the project would
require the use of someone outside of the U.K. with
attendant shipping and duty problems. Considering that this
is a very deluxe lens from a deluxe manufacturer, and,
frankly, an expensive lens to begin with, I just can't see
the logic of buying only parts and having someone else
finish the thing. If for no other purpose than to protect
Cooke's reputation for quality I think I would avoid such
dealings.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com
=